In a recent dawn ceremony, around 500 Ngāti Mutunga whānau gathered at Urenui Pā, Taranaki, for the blessing and opening of the new Te Aroha whare, the transformed Titohea wharekai, and the surrounding ātea and landscape.
Blessings and karakia began beneath the stars, followed by kōrero from Ngāti Mutunga and rangatira from visiting iwi. As the sun rose, Taranaki maunga emerged snow-capped behind Te Aroha and the urupā. It was a memorable backdrop to a significant morning.
A new chapter for Te Aroha
Blessings and karakia began beneath the stars, followed by kōrero from Ngāti Mutunga and rangatira from visiting iwi. As the sun rose, Taranaki maunga emerged snow-capped behind Te Aroha and the urupā. It was a memorable backdrop to a significant morning.
The opening marked an important milestone for Ngāti Mutunga and the revitalisation of their marae, bringing together architecture, mahi toi, landscape, and their aspirations for their mokopuna. The connecting landscape was designed by Bluemarble, while artist Rangi Kipa and the Tīhei team designed mahi toi and selected colours, materials, and finishes to ensure the history, identity, and cultural narratives of Ngāti Mutunga are reflected in the design of the whare.
Following the blessing, as the sun warmed the whenua, the warmth and generosity of Ngāti Mutunga manaakitanga was experienced in full, with a bountiful hākari.
Continuing the work at Urenui Pā
Our work at Urenui Pā continues with the restoration and conservation of the treasured Mahi Tamariki whare raupō. One of very few whare of its kind believed to remain in Aotearoa, and rarer still as a living whare that remains in use rather than held within a museum collection, it now awaits the reinstatement of its original earth floor, the harvesting of fresh raupō to renew the interior ceiling and wall linings, repairs to the building envelope, and improved site drainage. Together, this work will help safeguard the whare and ensure it remains a cherished and well-used part of the community for generations to come.
For Studio Pacific Managing Director James Wallace, being there to see Te Aroha returned to whānau and once again part of the life of Urenui Pā was a powerful reminder of the responsibility and privilege that comes with this work. “It was a special day, and a warm reminder that architecture is ultimately about people, place and belonging. Seeing Te Aroha alive again with whānau brings home why this work matters, and who it is really for.”
Our thanks to Ngāti Mutunga for entrusting us with the opportunity to contribute to this kaupapa, to Tīhei for their mahi and commitment, and to the many hands and hearts that have helped bring the project to this point.
Studio Pacific was supported by Etch with documentation and site observation services.
Whānau gather at dawn for the blessing and opening of Te Aroha at Urenui Pā.
